NEW YORK (June 17, 2015) – The specialty food industry is flourishing. Sales are at a record high of $109 billion and account for nearly 15 percent of all U.S. retail food sales. It is an industry that hardly existed 50 years ago.
Today's impressive performance is the result of the hard work and foresight of industry pioneers who decades ago saw an opportunity to elevate the culture of food in the U.S. and stepped in to make it happen.
To honor these individuals, the Specialty Food Association is presenting its 2015 Lifetime Achievement Awards to eight trendsetters who helped create the industry. They will be honored June 29, 2015, at the Summer Fancy Food Show in New York.
They are:
Giorgio DeLuca, Joel Dean and Jack Ceglic, Dean & DeLuca
Co-founders DeLuca, Dean and Ceglic redefined specialty food in the 1970s and 1980s, giving birth to a global brand and inspiring thousands of retailers to embrace specialty food.
Edith Friedland, EFCO Imports
Friedland was the first woman to lead the Specialty Food Association/NASFT. Her company introduced European beers, Swiss health foods and South American hearts of palm to the U.S.
Alfred Lepore, Ferrara Foods
Lepore broke new ground for imported Italian foods in the U.S. and fostered U.S. production of Italian products under the iconic Ferrara brand.
Steve Reich, Charlotte Charles
Reich introduced specialty foods to the masses by developing specialty food as a gift. Charlotte Charles became one of the most prominent gift packers, manufacturers and distributors in the industry.
John Roberts, Specialty Food Association/NASFT
Roberts led the Specialty Food Association/NASFT for 17 years. He acquired full ownership of the Association's Fancy Food Shows from a show management company, developed industry-leading media products and introduced education programs for all levels of expertise in the industry.
The Lifetime Achievement Awards will be presented as part of the red-carpet sofi™ Awards ceremony at the Summer Fancy Food Show. The ceremony is open to all show attendees. It is 5 -7 p.m. at Javits Center, Special Events Hall, followed by an after party.
The Summer Fancy Food Show is the largest marketplace for specialty food in North America. It runs June 28 – 30 at Javits Center. Registration is available online throughout the show. Attendees may also register in person at Javits Center starting June 28.
The Lifetime Achievement honorees were selected by a special committee from the Specialty Food Association's inaugural Hall of Fame, which includes 114 food innovators who were inducted in January 2015.
Press Registration
The Summer Fancy Food Show is a trade-only event. The Specialty Food Association provides complimentary press badges to qualified media. Learn more and register. Press is invited to attend the awards ceremony.
About Specialty Food Association
The Specialty Food Association is a thriving community of food artisans, importers and entrepreneurs who bring craft, care and joy to the distinctive foods they produce. Established in 1952 in New York, the not-for-profit trade association provides its 3,000 members in the U.S. and abroad the tools, knowledge and connections to champion and nurture their companies in an always-evolving marketplace. The Association (formerly the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade, Inc.) owns and produces the Winter and Summer Fancy Food Show, and presents the sofi Awards honoring excellence in specialty food. Learn more at specialtyfood.com
Specialty Food Association Media Contact:
Louise Kramer, Communications Director, 646-878-0130, lkramer@specialtyfood.com
